Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Egypt's major cities on Friday, prompting the government to deploy the army to keep the peace for the first time since unrest began Tuesday. Protesters are demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year-rule. Here are the latest developments as confirmed by CNN.

[Updated 7:40 p.m. (0240 in Egypt)] A senior U.S. State Department official said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak "was not particularly forthcoming" in his speech early Saturday. "Our initial impression is that he emphasized security far more than reform," said the official, who wasn't authorized to speak on the record.

A senior Muslim Brotherhood leader echoed those sentiments in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, saying that Mubarak has to step down and the military should intervene, according to Al Jazeera.

[Updated 6:40 p.m. (0140 in Egypt)] U.S. President Barack Obama called on Egyptian authorities Friday to refrain from violence and to reverse any actions they have taken to limit access to the internet in the wake of protests there.

Obama said he spoke to the Egyptian president after he announced plans to dissolve his government and take steps with a new cabinet to implement reforms that will revitalize the economy and create more jobs.

"I told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise."

[Updated 6:15 p.m. (0115 in Egypt)] President Mubarak's announcement that he was going to dissolve the government Saturday did not sit well with some protesters.

"Mubarak just blamed the government. We will continue our demonstrations until we get our full demands. We want him to leave. His time is over," said Ahmed, a 19-year-old law student demonstrator in Central Alexandria's Raml Square.

"We are one of the richest Arab countries and we want to live. Let a new government form but if we don't get what we ask for, we will go back to the streets again and again," said Mohammed, a 20- year-old student.

[Updated 5:45 p.m. (0045 in Egypt)] Protesters in the streets of Cairo are calling for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to leave, chanting in unison "we don't want him." The people in the streets represent all walks of life, from young people to families with children, CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports.

[Updated 5:31 p.m. (0031 in Egypt)] Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says he has asked the government to resign so he can appoint a new government Saturday. He gave no indication that he would step down or leave the country.

[Updated 5:27 p.m. (0027 in Egypt)] President Hosni Mubarak said he is "on the side of the people" and vowed to take steps to guarantee the rights and freedom of Egyptians, develop job opportunities and to "stand by the poor."

He said early Saturday he sees a fine line "between freedom and chaos" and that he would work to secure both freedom and security in Egypt.

I assure you that I'm working for the people and giving freedoms of opinion as long as you are respecting the law, there is a very little line between freedom and chaos," he said.

"I am absolutely on the side of the freedom of each citizen and at the same time I am on the side of the security of Egypt, and I would not let anything dangerous happen that would threaten the peace and the law and the future of the country."

[Updated 5:16 p.m. (0016 in Egypt)] President Hosni Mubarak is expected to speak soon, state-run Nile TV reports. Mubarak has not made any public appearances today.

[Updated 5:09 p.m. (0009 in Egypt)] It's just after midnight in Egypt and people are still milling about the streets in defiance of a government curfew, but activity has calmed, CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports. Riot police appear to have withdrawn from the streets of Cairo and Alexandria after several hours of confrontation with protesters, and in their place the Egyptian Army has taken up presence, guarding government buildings.

State-run media reports that an "important statement" will be given later Friday in Egypt.

[Updated 4:51 p.m. (2351 in Egypt)] U.S. stocks plunged Friday - with the Dow industrial average falling 166 points, its largest loss since November, and the Nasdaq exchange losing 3% of its value - as investors grew nervous about political unrest in Egypt.

[Updated 4:35 p.m. (2335 in Egypt)] As public protests against the Mubarak regime spread from Cairo to New York City, Egyptian-American activists on Friday called on the Obama adminstration to back the "Lotus Revolution" to oust the authoritarian ruler. They also called on President Hosni Mubarak's government to end its purported practices of detentions, torture and "extrajudicial killings."

[Updated 4:00 p.m. (2300 in Egypt)] An iReporter visiting Egypt shot this video from his hotel room of demonstrators swarming three Army vehicles as they drove down the street.

[Updated 3:52 p.m. (2252 in Egypt)] The United States will review its aid to Egypt based on what is happening there now, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Friday.

[Updated 3:31 p.m. (2231 in Egypt)] Egyptian military officials have cut short their talks at the Pentagon to head back to northern Africa, according to Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff. Their meetings with their U.S. military counterparts had been scheduled to continue through Wednesday.

[Updated 3:20 p.m. (2222 in Egypt)] The White House has been in touch with the Egyptian government but U.S. President Barack Obama has not spoken with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a briefing.

"We are deeply concerned aboutĀ the images and events we see in Egypt today. We monitor those events closely; the security personnel need to refrain from violence, protesters should refrain from violence," he said.

"The legitimate grievances that have festered for quite some time in Egypt have to be addressed by the Egyptian government immediately, and violence is not the response. Space has to be created forĀ meaningful dialogue that addresses those very legitimate grievances."

[Updated 2:56 p.m. (2156 in Egypt)] The building housing the offices of the National Democratic Party, Egypt's ruling party, was burned and ransacked by demonstrators in Cairo on Friday, Nile TV is reporting. A CNN source saw the building burning.

[Updated 2:25 p.m. (2125 in Egypt)] Delta Airlines tells CNN it will have a flight departing Cairo on Saturday and then suspend service to the Egyptian capital indefinitely as a result of the civil unrest.

[Updated 2:21 p.m. (2121 in Egypt)] Alexis Madrigal, a senior editor at The Atlantic, published late Thursday what is purported to be a guide to Egyptians on how to protest on Friday. The pamphlet includes strategies for taking over government buildings and diagrams showing how to fend off riot police. Read Madrigal's report and see how the pamphlet looks here.

[Updated 2:03 p.m. (2103 in Egypt)] The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert regarding the unrest in Egypt. It cites disrupted travel between cities and the government's interruption of internet and cell phone service. "Given this situation, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Egypt at this time and advises U.S. citizens currently in Egypt to defer non-essential movement and to exercise caution," the alert states.

[Updated 1:39 p.m. (2039 in Egypt)] Several high-ranking Egyptian military officials were in the Pentagon on Friday for a previously scheduled visit, CNN's Chris Lawrence reports. They're attending the annual U.S.-Egypt Military Cooperation Committee meetings to discuss military training, security assistance and defense industrial cooperation.

[Updated 1:25 p.m. (2025 in Egypt)] The Egyptian government has ordered cell phone companies to shut down service in selected areas, Vodafone says, adding that it is obliged by law to comply with the order.

[Updated 1:19 p.m. (2047 in Egypt)] Demonstrators in Cairo surrounded a military vehicle, but they were cheering the army, a respected institution in Egypt.

Ā [Updated 12:42 p.m. (1942 in Egypt)] Egyptian TV is reporting that the curfew has been extended to all provinces in Egypt.

[Updated 12:37 p.m. (1937 in Egypt)] The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 140 points at midday in New York because of the unrest in Egypt. The price of oil has soared $3.70 a barrel and gold has rallied by more than $22 an ounce.

[Updated 12:21 p.m. (1921 in Egypt)] Demonstrators are attacking a police station in Cairo housing officers who protect the state Information Ministry, CNN's Ben Wedeman reports. Live gunfire can be heard, he says.

[Updated 12:10 p.m. (1910 in Egypt)] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the Egyptian government to exercise restraint in dealing with protests and to respect citizens' human rights. She also cautioned demonstrators to refrain from violence. Clinton asked the government "to allow peaceful protests and reverse the unprecedented steps it has taken to cut off communications." "We are deeply concerned about the use of violence by Egyptian police and security forces against protesters and we call on the Egyptian government to do everything within its power to restrain its security forces," Clinton said. "At the same time, protesters should also refrain from violence and express themselves peacefully." Clinton was speaking to reporters at the State Department after a meeting with Colombia's vice president.Ā

[Updated 11:58 a.m. (1858 in Egypt)] Protesters are trying to make their way into the center of Cairo despite the government's imposition of an overnight curfew, CNN's Ben Wedeman reports. Egyptian army personnel are not confronting them, and the protesters are treating the soldiers with respect, he says.

[Updated 11:50 a.m. (1850 in Egypt)] Fires can be seen in front of the Egyptian ruling party headquarters in Cairo, state-run Nile TV said Friday night. A Nile TV anchor said "criminals" are setting the blazes.

[Updated 11:34 a.m. (1834 in Egypt)] A protester in Cairo appears to be shot when he picks up a rock to throw at riot police; witnesses and a security source say the man died.

[Updated 11:18 a.m. (1818 in Egypt)] People continue to travel the streets after dark on foot and in vehicles despite the commencement of a government-imposed curfew, live video from Al-Jazeera shows.

[Updated 11:05 a.m. (1805 in Egypt)] Egyptian security forces were shutting the Cairo office of Arabic-language news network Al-Jazeera with force on Friday, according to Mohasad Nanabhay, head of new media for the network.

[Updated 10:51 a.m. (1751 in Egypt)] Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to make a speech this evening to address the unrest.

[Updated 10:37 a.m. (1737 in Egypt)] CNN's Nic Roberston reports a police station is among buildings on fire in downtown Alexandria.

[Updated 10:33 a.m. (1730)] The Egyptian government has imposed a curfew in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria, effective less than 30 minutes from now (11 a.m. ET, 1800 in Egypt), according to Egyptian state TV.

[Updated 10:04 a.m. (1704 in Egypt)] CNN's Ben Wedeman reports his first sighting of Egyptian army troops getting involved in the unrest in Cairo.

Two armored personnel carriers arrived near a bridge to cries of "Allahu akhbar" from protesters, who apparently believe the army will show more restraint than riot police have, Wedeman reported.

[Updated 9:57 a.m. (1657 in Egypt)] U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Friday called on Egypt's government "to exercise restraint and protect the rights of its citizens to freedom of expression, information and assembly.

"I call on the government to take concrete measures to guarantee the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, including by restoring free use of mobile phones and social networks," she said in a statement.

[Updated 8:44 a.m.] Riot police are using tear gas to disperse tens of thousand of protesters on the streets of the Egyptian city of Suez, state TV in Egypt reported Friday. The protests have been violent and about 15,000 riot police have been deployed there, state TV reported.

[Updated 8:29 a.m.] CNN's Nic Robertson tweets from Alexandria that older men are calming younger protesters and talking to police in tear gas-filled streets. Police are falling back in response, calming a volatile situation.

[Updated 7:40 a.m.] A major Egyptian protest group says the government crackdown on demonstrators is occurring across the nation on Friday. Along with Cairo and Alexandria, riot police are cracking down on protesters in Suez, Ismailia, Fayoum, and Shbin Elkoum, according to a message from Egyptian Liberation.

Four French journalists have been arrested in Cairo, said Bernard Valero, a spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry.

[Posted 7:25 a.m.] Clashes have erupted in the Egyptian city of Cairo on Friday, according to CNN reporters at the scene.

Protesters have taken to the street and tear gas was being fired. Plainclothes and riot police have stepped in to confront the protesters.

soundoff(946 Responses)

greeneyes13

Mr.obmas please leave health care the same please you said you going to make diffence not cut tax and cut health care for our kide so please leave it wqay it is ok it hard for our child to go see dr please leave it along make our amercia people angry ok so stop right now we want peace ok.

In light of the recent upheavals in Egypt, and much of the Middle East, i.e., Tunisia, etc., as an American, it is quite a conflict to be the worldās leading ādemocratic governmentā, yet we have to mute our support for the people of Egypt, et. al., in their desire for greater democracy, because of the concern that the government which would replace the various tyrannical leaders, might not be as supportive of Israel, as our policies would like.
So, we are again diminishing our global democratic leadership, since we are mired in the blind support of the Israeli oppression of those they have displaced.
Wouldnāt it seem healthier, and more āAmericanā to revert to the concepts of the American Principles of Justice for all, to guide our response to those people seeking greater freedom and democracy? That would free us of our AIPAC entanglements to be what we are supposed to be.

This is one of the few times in my life I have felt sorry for the police. I saw a picture in which men saying the evening prayers were surrounded by police. The police all looked as though they wanted to be on their knees in prayer. I'm sure many of the police agree with the protesters and wish they could could cross to the other side.

The American principles which made America unique amongst the world, and led to her greatness, are being diminished by the use of our Achilles Heel: money, through AIPAC.
Besides money / ācontributionsā, if any political candidate dares to deny their support of Israel, or not swear allegiance to AIPAC, they are branded an anti-Semitic, leading to media claims of Nazi / Hitler characterizations. This is amazingly successful, powerful, and in complete conflict with the basis of American success.
As that which made America so strong and more importantly so unique amongst the world is diminished / sullied by this AIPAC control of our government, eventually, that American power is likewise diminished globally. So, eventually, the main supporter of Israel, will no longer be in a position to continue that unwarranted support. At least not from a position of moral authority, with the natural human acceptance. Instead, only bullets will, as they are now, be able to maintain the current policies of injustice and oppression over those who donāt have as many soldiers, bullets, helicopters, etc.

I am Egyptian/American, I am very concerned about what is happenning in Egypt and my family over there. I know the landlines are working but nothing else. I also know that there is no power in some places in Egypt and I understand that President Mubarak will deliver a speach any time now. I can never ignore what President Mubarak has done for the past 30 years. I can't just look at his mistakes which we all do any way, but I also I have to look at all the positive things he did for the Egyptians. Serving the country for 30 years, he should deserve some respect for that. I also understand the sufferings of Egyptians, I agree on peaceful demonstrations, but no voilence, burning our country, and cause many problems, then we can't blame the police forces for using violence. Police officers are Egyptians too, we just can't hurt each other like that. I hope everyone calms down and set at the table to discuss in a civilized way the nations needs.

I am very concerned about this uprising. I am all for democracy and the overthrowing of the un-just government, but what is happening is exactly what happened in Animal Farm.
The leaders of this revolution is the Muslim Brotherhood.... they will assume power, and like Napoleon in Animal Farm, they have an army of brainwashed followers who will force their bidding and destroy the democracy that the people want, therefore creating a tyranny far worse than the current.

PLEASE: if you know anyone in this uprising, urge them to keep their new government SECULAR and do not let ANY religious group have say in the development of a new one.

Is this unhealthy, injustice, right is might policy truly the best method of maintaining Israel? Granted, it is working, so to speak, for the moment. But, given the likewise relentless hate from those oppressed people who were displaced from the Zionists who created Israel, isnāt it only a matter of time before they use a WMD, i.e., nuclear or biological weapon, and bring death and destruction to the āpeaceful Jewish Homelandā? If you, or anyone truly wants to see Israel live and flower forever, shouldnāt a more healthy, sustainable policy of government and resolution of the refugeesā, be selected than the present: kill them all, right is might, bullets instead of justice policies?

Assuming you are a person who has lived long enough to have acquired the wisdom to see and understand these realities, and assuming you are a devout supporter of Israel, I could only imagine you too would want Israel to live, as originally desired, peacefully. And, as an American, hopefully, you would also see the value in returning to the American Principles which made America so strong she could sustain and support Justice for ALL, around the world. Anything else is too short sighted to be selected from a man of wisdom, isnāt it?

So, what can you do? Perhaps you could use your influence toward this wiser, healthier, American / Israeli policy, to resolve the issues of the refugees, with Justice for ALL, rather than bullets. If in doubt, you may ask yourself what would God do?

To "Shades":
Our / American lack of support for the Egyptian PEOPLE is directly related to our policies supporting Israel; which is directly related to our politicians being bribed by AIPAC.
Otherwise, wouldn't / shouldn't America be in complete support of the Egyptian people as they demand the basic democratic freedoms which ALL people deserve?

No, we aren't supporting it because this is a direct threat to Israel and secularism in the entire region. The fact that this is being led by The Muslim Brotherhood is basically proving that if the revolution continues as it does, Egypt will be the next Iran.
Israel has it's share of sins to atone for, I agree. The US needs to be more tough on them. However, they are being hated because of RELIGION. Religion is the cancer to the region and the world.
I hope that the people of Egypt can overthrow their corrupt government and set up their own with a completely secular government free of ancient grudges and homicidal delusions.

So Shades, is it OK for America to support the oppression of the people displaced by the Zionists, and to support the tyranical Mubarak, and the King of Saudi Arabia, when you read our Statue of Liberty? No, it is not.
BUT, we support anyone, even Mubarak, as long as they likewise support Israel.
America should return to her pure principles, and support the oppressed, NEVER the oppressor, no matter what "deals" they make with our "leaders".

All "journalists" have devolved DOWN from the Cronkites of the previous generation. As an example, ALL (western) media sources maintain the one sided Arab = bad / Israeli = good theme. And have therefore helped position America, in complete conflict with our own principles and laws, in support of a state built from Zionist terrorism, (the Stern Gang, the Irgun, Hagganah), as supporters of oppression, occupation, bulldozers, blockades, theft of land, and the continuation of the refugees plight. America is supposed to be better than this. But, our media is owned and managed per a particularly one sided viewpoint. So, we are all the losers, whether left or right leaning, we are all in a war on terrorism we should not be in. America has found itself as the hated enemy of millions / billions of oppressed people, by its continued support of this, with no end in sight.
Much more importantly than our left / right debates, is this over arching direction for Americans to choose. Without a healthy media to inform the public, we will continue to vote for politicians who swear allegiance to AIPAC, accept their millions of dollars in contributions, and then vote accordingly to blindly support the Israeli oppressors.

How many millions of dollars do the Palestinians "contribute" to our American politicians annually? ZERO, nada, none. And "quid pro quo" our "leaders" perpetuate our support of the Zionists. This has placed all of us in "harms way", not to mention the thousands of Americans killed, from 9 / 11, to those fighting in the Middle East.

So, in effect, our politicians are committing treason, by lining their pockets with AIPAC money, and voting to support their ongoing oppression.
This is in complete conflict with our laws, our principles, and even that which is written on the Statue of Liberty.
If you want to blame someone, you can blame our MEDIA.

So, while we squabble over left / right leanings, focusing on FOX vs. MSNBC, our very American Principles of Justice for ALL, and equality under the law are being sullied, diminished and cast aside.
How can we claim to be the home of Justice for all, while we support the decades long oppression of those who were displaced for the creation of a "peaceful Jewish homeland"?
This is simply wrong. It is also supposed to be un-American; but for decades our media and our "leaders" have been telling us the Arabs are bad and the Israelis are good.
Google the Deir Yassien Massacre some day. And the Stern Gang, the Irgun, the Hagganah, i.e., the Zionist Terrorists, and you might enlighten yourself as to who the FIRST "terrorists" were, and what they did to create a "Peaceful Jewish Homeland".

I am not an expert on Egypt...
I heard the Sec State say "the people are protesting...as is their right".
I wonder about that...I mean they may have about as much right to protest as they do to a 5th amendment right...which is none.
Protesting is one thing...violation of country's laws is another
Also, still makes me wonder how wide spread this is...or is this limited to a few thousand and blown out of proportion by nedia

Our media, from MSNBC to FOX ignores, avoids, and distracts us from this vital reality. Which has led us down the wrong path. This path is costing us our principles and our lives.
This is too high a price, even for America to pay without eventually relegating us to the trash heap of defeated empires.
Our only hope is that we Americans will eventually see the injustices which we are supporting soon enough to make amends and support (as our vaunted Statue of Liberty proclaims) the down trodden, and the oppressed; rather than those who pay our politicians the most.
God Bless America.

Until our MEDIA discusses these concepts with us, we will never, as a people, make the informed decisions of what kind of America we want to be.
And, until then, AIPAC will continue to dictate our policies through our politicians accepting their bribes.

America is supposed to make her own decisions, based upon her own principles, rather than those of others. PLEASE discuss this conflict with us!

Shades, so would you rather the people of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, etc., (oppressed people), continue to accept their oppression rather than throw out their oppressors, because of your concern for global stability?
If YOU and YOUR FAMILY were the victims of real oppression, then I might accept your feelings that the oppressed should not fight for their freedom. However, I would still suggest that you do not deserve to live like that.
In the mean time, the least that you should do is applaud those who have the guts to fight their oppressor, even if you wouldn't do the same.

It is plain to see that the police and the military work for the killers just like our police in America do...they must be proud, man I thought the worked FOR THE PEOPLE NOT AGAINS THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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